Introduction

After 9 happy years, the time has come for us to sell our rural retreat in the centre of France.

We want to spend more time with children and grandchildren, and none of them are in France!

Someone else will now have the chance to experience the delights of living in the lovely, quiet Allier countryside.

Description

Traditional small farmhouse with attached barn, stables and outbuildings, on 2.2 hectares (5.5 acres) of land. This charming rural retreat is peacefully situated off a quiet lane, amidst rolling Bourbonnaise countryside, with no near neighbours.

The stone house and attached barn is constructed in the traditional longère style, with all the living accommodation on the ground floor. An outside staircase provides access to the attic areas (which are boarded throughout and could readily be converted into further living accommodation).

The current 76 m² living area consists of one large central living/dining room (with large fireplace and wood-burning stove) two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom/laundry room.

The large two storey barn is attached to the house and has two lean-to stables. Outbuildings include a large ‘hangar’ (open sided barn) and a concrete shed currently used for wood storage. A group of stone/block outbuildings have been used for storage and as a hen house.

The land is bounded by a variety of large trees (oak, ash, willow, chestnut) long stretches of coppiced hazel, and natural hedgerows, and a stream runs through the small valley between the fields.

The grazing land is currently divided into four main fields, originally fenced for llamas, but also suitable for sheep or horses. Two linked fields each have direct access to the stables attached to the house, and a third has a wooden field shelter. In addition to the grazing land, there is a substantial plot used as a vegetable garden, a large pig pen (with a wooden ark), and a chicken run.

Further information

You can find more information in the following sections:

The House – room by room descriptions and picturesOutbuildings – brief information about the barn and other outbuildingsThe Land – description of the fields and other areasThe Location – the commune and local facilities

We also have published a blog covering our life in France, most of which deals with our time at this property.